All this week on Stateside , we're looking at why more Michigan veterans aren't getting the help they may be entitled to from the VA. The state has consistently ranked in the bottom five states and territories when it comes to helping veterans and their families access federal VA benefits.

Officials from the EPA, the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services met in Kalamazoo to discuss PFAS chemicals, but only a handful of selected speakers could ask questions and share their thoughts.

Many of the speakers, including officials from Ann Arbor, Parchment, and Oscoda, want the EPA and other federal agencies to move faster to solve the issue.

Between now and November's election, we’re having conversations with statewide candidates about a variety of issues. Today, Stateside spoke with the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, about the state budget and his tax policy platform.

Through her campaign, Democratic candidate Gretchen Whitmer had agreed to join us to discuss her view on taxes and the budget. However, she cancelled.

Today on Stateside, a conversation with Mexican journliast Emilio Gutierrez-Soto who sought asylum in the US in 2008. He is currently a Knight-Wallace Fellow, but may face deportation under the Trump Administration. Plus, a political-round up, a conversation with a MacArthur genius fellow, and interview with Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Schuette (R).

Children's Protective Services is making changes to its investigation protocol after state audit, released last month, unveiled multiple serious issues and errors in CPS investigations between 2014 and 2016.

Stacie Bladen is the deputy director for programs and policies in child welfare at the agency. She said CPS has about 1500 staff in the field. And for the most part, Bladen thinks they're very committed to their work.

Michigan and Canadian leaders, including Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, were in Windsor Friday to celebrate the start of construction on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge.

The Canadian government sees the new bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario as a key national infrastructure project. Trudeau called it a “vital 2.5 km artery that will connect Windsor and Detroit and allow for an increased flow of people and goods between Canada and the United States.”

Researchers from Michigan State University developed a new computer tool for analyzing DNA to predict genetic traits. The tool identified gene locations connected to traits like height, bone density, and cognitive ability--and they got surprisingly accurate results.